The Prison Rape Elimination Act at the New Jersey Department of Corrections

The New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) maintains compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). Signed into federal law in 2003, PREA is designed to prevent, detect, and respond to incidences of sexual abuse and sexual harassment in confinement facilities.

Under PREA, inmates who are committed to the custody of the NJDOC:

Have the right to serve their incarceration free of sexual abuse and sexual harassment;

Have multiple means by which to report sexual abuse/sexual harassment

Have the right to be free from retaliation, whether victim, perpetrator, or reporter of sexual abuse/sexual harassment;

Have the responsibility not to engage in sexually abusive and/or sexually harassing conduct

Are assessed for PREA risk with the goal of keeping separate those inmates at risk of being sexually victimized from those at risk of being sexually abusive

Have the right to access medical and mental health services that address sexual abuse

Have access to external sexual abuse emotional support services

PREA reporting and resource information is available throughout each correctional facility. Additionally, Institutional PREA Compliance Managers are assigned at each correctional facility to oversee and coordinate PREA compliance.

NJDOC Zero Tolerance Policy

The NJDOC maintains a zero tolerance toward all forms of inmate sexual abuse and inmate sexual harassment. The NJDOC will respond to, investigate, and support the prosecution of sexual abuse and sexual harassment within the correctional system and externally in partnership with state and local authorities.

The NJDOC accepts and investigates all inmate and third party verbal, written, and anonymous reports of sexual abuse/sexual harassment. Additionally, the
County Prosecutor may be contacted for potential criminal investigation and prosecution.

All NJDOC staff members, contractors and volunteers receive training on their duties and responsibilities under the NJDOC’s zero tolerance policy and PREA standards.

All NJDOC staff members, contractors and volunteers are required to immediately report any occurrence of inmate sexual abuse /sexual harassment.

Reporting Inmate Sexual Abuse/Sexual Harassment

Inmates who are victims of sexual abuse/ sexual harassment, or have knowledge of sexual abuse/sexual harassment should immediately report the incident by using any of the following reporting methods:

Verbally or in writing to any NJDOC staff member, contractor or volunteer

Using the Inmate Remedy System form/JPAY Inmate Computer Kiosk

Contacting the Institutional PREA Compliance Manager;

Contacting the Special Investigations Division (via the confidential SID box at the correctional facility or by dialing *SID1# on the inmate telephone system